Retroboot Legion of Super-Heroes #8

Legion of Super-Heroes #8 continues the 'faster than usual' pace for the title. And that is something that I think is giving me pause.

For those reading these reviews, you know that my memory of the Retroboot has been less than stellar. And yet, on these review rereads, I have been enjoying the title more than I anticipated. I have been wondering when it would turn the corner. My recollection couldn't be that off, could it?

Well, in the last few issues, writer Paul Levitz has been rushing through plots and as a result I haven't been getting that full experience. The 'cult of Darkseid' plot where the Ranzz twins were kidnapped was wrapped up in one issue. Earth Man becoming more sympathetic of other races happened very quickly. Shadow Lass falling for Earth Man happened in a panel. For those who read Levitz in the '80s, his style was much more to keep things simmering. Here we go from still waters to boil.

In this issue, we see that a Durlan conspiracy to infiltrate the UP and honor RJ Brande which could have been played out over years is suddenly revealed and out in the open. Compare that to something like 'The Universo Project' where we got our first hint of it in the Baxter series #10, had mysteries sprinkled through, to ultimately reveal it in #32. That's nearly 2 years!

Art is by Yildiray Cinar and once again he does a great job. Much of this issue is Legionnaires fighting Durlans and Cinar shines in those sequences.

Maybe this is the beginning of the downturn?

We start out with Colossal Boy and Dream Girl visiting R.J. Brande's private secretary Pheebs.

It is revealed that Brande was killed while trying to convince the UP to open its doors to Durla. After his assassination, Pheebs took over Brande's business. It was Pheebs who helped establish the new Durlan leadership. And now the aide is in danger. The Durlans are out to avenge Brande's death.

I don't know if we ever saw Brande's death. Did that happen off screen?

And if Pheebs was the one who set up the renegade Durlans, why would they be going after Brande's worker?

Meanwhile, Tellus arrives with an injured Dawnstar and a de-suited Wildfire at a Science Police medical center.

I think that Wildfire's glow being visible is something new. I always thought he was an invisible entity when out of the suit.

Gigi Cusimano reminds us that the Legion has captured a Durlan. Perhaps Tellus and his telepathy can help sort things out.

Back at headquarters, Cos is weighed down with responsibility. The team is stretched thin protecting the UP Council members, off on other missions, and off world. And Phantom Girl says what we have all been thinking: Durlans can replace people! How deep does this conspiracy go?

I love the simple decision to split this panel into two. There are two different feels to this. By giving Cos the panel on his own, we as readers take the time to see how worried and fatigued he is.

Then we get the next panel, a concerned Tinya worried about how in the dark they are, as she literally stands in the dark.

Both moments deserve their space to breathe. Had this been one big panel, you might have been glossed over a bit as you tried to take it in all in one look.

Back at Brande's estate, a couple of birds turn out to be ... gasp ... Durlan assassins.

One thing I appreciated is seeing Dream Girl hold her own in personal combat. It was established in the Threeboot that she could precog her opponent's moves. So I like that she is able to stay on top of this Durlan who clearly should wipe her out.

Also, she looks very dreamy during the sequence. Only she could look so sexy while in hand-to-hand.

Who arrives to help out? Earth Man and Shadow Lass.

I am not sure if the Durlans are souped up in some way. This Durlan seems to be able to increase its mass, growing to the size of Colossal Boy. It then gets a double-fisted sandwich.

I don't think I'll ever like Earth Man. But I do like seeing him sort of embrace his role as a Legionnaire, wading into the brawl immediately.

At the headquarters, Cos talks to Brainy (who is still on Naltor).

With the Durlan plot revealed, Brainy reminds Cos of a potential weapon in his lab. It turns out to be Cancelite, a gas created by Supergirl and perfected by Brainy which can negate a Durlan's ability to change.

But the big line here is Brainy congratulating Cos for surviving his term as leader. First off, I like how small Cos is in this panel. It reminds us that he is pretty frail. He could have died many times. It also makes me think about how big the problems are that Cos is trying to deal with.

The art really complements the words and sentiment here.

And then, as Cos goes to get the Cancelite, Chief Zendak reveals himself as a Durlan, blaming Rokk for letting Brande die.

I definitely shook my head here.

The Zendak replacement happened 2 issues ago. This should have remained hidden for so much longer. But instead it comes out.

Too soon.

Back at Brande's, Earth Man continues to state his prejudice. He really still worries most about humans.

And having absorbed the shape-changing abilities, he becomes living metal and crushes the guy.

Can Durlans become living metal?

And Cos gets a hand from Phantom Girl. But even they have a hard time with the Zendak-Durlan.

Luckily, Element Lad shows up and captures it in an intertron globe.

Durlans are pretty tough.

But the most interesting part of the issue for me is seeing the Legion election.

Mon-El turns out to be the winner. But he has quit the team!

More interesting is the breakdown of the votes.

Sensor Girl is in red because hers was the last to appear. Counting things out, Mon-El wins 7-6 over Brainiac 5. I will point out that Dawnstar didn't vote because of injury. Perhaps if she voted it would be a tie? Why not wait?

But let's look closer. Shadow Lass voting for her boyfriend makes a little sense. But Gates, a rather alien looking being, voting for the xenophobe? Weird.

Earth Man voting for an alien from Tharr? Especially when there are humans on the team? Weird.

Lightning Lass voting for Dream Girl makes some sense. Ayla really started to discover who she was in the immediate post-Great Darkness time. And Dreamy got the team through that.

But perhaps most interesting is Cos and Element Lad, both long time leaders, both voting for Sun Boy. Perhaps they see something in Dirk I don't.

Still, I think too much is happening too fast.

What did you think?